In order to celebrate this event, Dasong Bank specially prepared a series of activities, the most eye-catching of which was the significant reduction in loan interest. "Three centimeters per month!" When the news came out, the already bustling streets boiled with excitement. Businessmen from the Kingdom of Jin, who were suffering from loan sharking, flocked to the Yanjing Branch of the Song Dynasty Bank, their faces filled with incredible joy. "This is really great news!" A middle-aged businessman said excitedly. "In the past, when we wanted to get a loan, those loan sharks always opened their mouths and the interest rates were terrifyingly high. Now Dasong Bank has actually lowered the interest rate to The monthly interest rate is three cents, which is a timely help!" A young businessman next to him also echoed: "Yes! In this way, we can boldly expand the scale of our business. With the support of Dasong Bank, why worry about business failure?" Luluo said with a smile: "Your Excellency, thank you for the award. Dasong Bank is willing to work hand in hand with the merchants of the Kingdom of Jin to create prosperity." While he was talking, another nobleman from the Kingdom of Jin came over. He looked at the furnishings and facilities in the branch curiously, and kept nodding and praising: "Da Song Bank really deserves its reputation! This branch is so elegantly decorated and the service is so considerate. This is really good news for our merchants in the Kingdom of Jin!" Hong Hao cupped his hands and said: "Thank you for your compliment. The Bank of the Song Dynasty will serve the merchants of the Jin Kingdom wholeheartedly and live up to expectations." That afternoon, the Yanjing Branch of Dasong Bank issued a loan of up to 500,000 taels! These loans were not issued in the form of real money, but in exchange for banknotes specially issued by Dasong Bank. The businessmen of the Kingdom of Jin holding silver notes seemed to see a bright future waving to them.
They knew that as long as they had these banknotes, they could trade goods unimpeded in the market. In the following days, Lu Luo and Hong Hao stayed in Yanjing and were busy with various affairs of the branch. They personally supervise the issuance and recovery of loans, develop a series of strict risk control and management systems, and continuously improve the branch's service items and facilities. Under their careful management, the Yanjing Branch of Dasong Bank quickly got on the right track. Five months later, Lu Luo and Hong Hao left Yanjing and returned to Kaifeng, while the management of the Yanjing branch was handed over to Song Shilai, who was trained by Lu Luo. The affairs of the Yanjing Branch of the Bank of the Song Dynasty have been settled. With the rise of the branch, the commercial trade has become increasingly prosperous. Like a steady stream of water, it has gradually nourished the tense relationship between the Song Dynasty and the Jin Dynasty. It's July, and the weather in Kaifeng City is still as hot as a furnace fire. However, in the fields, the corn and cotton are full of vitality and green, seeming to compete with this hot summer. The rain was abundant and the earth was moist, and the people were all happy, anticipating the coming of a good harvest year. At this time, Zhao Yingluo had handed over the full power of farming to Jiang Laosi, while she turned her attention to a more far-reaching reform - the imperial examination. The imperial examination was an important way to select talents in the Song Dynasty, and it has always been valued by scholars. However, Zhao Yingluo knew that the current imperial examination system still had many shortcomings. In the early days, she fought against public opinion and included agricultural practice in the imperial examination. Her original intention was to guide scholars to pay attention to farming and sympathize with the sufferings of the people. However, the result was not what she expected. Those candidates who come from wealthy families are still addicted to books and disdainful of agricultural practice. Their identity and background determine that they cannot truly understand the value of land, nor can they appreciate the hardships of farmers. Song Dynasty, Kaifeng Mansion. The summer is hot, but the imperial study room in the palace is cool and pleasant, and the fragrance of books is overflowing. Zhao Yingluo sat at the sandalwood table in the royal study room. On the table was a piece of exquisite rice paper, which was filled with ideas about the reform of the imperial examination. Her eyes were firm and deep, as if she had seen the prosperity after the reform. There were soft footsteps outside the door, and left prime minister Lu Yihao and minister of official affairs Lu Haowen stepped into the imperial study together.
After the two of them saluted Zhao Yingluo, they sat on either side of her. "Prime Minister Zuo, Minister Lu, I have called you here today to discuss the reform of the imperial examination." Zhao Yingluo said straight to the point. Lu Yihao nodded slightly and stroked his beard: "Your Royal Highness, the imperial examination is a major event for the country to select talents. Reforms need to be carried out with caution." Lu Haowen also agreed: "What the Prime Minister Zuo said is absolutely true. I wonder what your highness the princess has to say?" Zhao Yingluo smiled slightly and handed the rice paper on the table to the two of them: "I want to incorporate agricultural practice into the imperial examination and increase the number of admissions for poor scholars. What do you think?" Lu Yihao took a deep breath and said in a deep voice: "Your Highness, I must remind you that reforming the imperial examination system, especially increasing the number of admissions for poor scholars and reducing the number of admissions for rich students, will inevitably arouse strong dissatisfaction among some people. These things People have considerable influence in the court and in the local area, and if they are not handled properly, trouble may arise." Hearing this, Zhao Yingluo raised a sneer at the corner of her mouth: "Oh? Dissatisfaction? What are they dissatisfied with? Does the imperial court still need to look at their looks when selecting talents? Those children from rich families only know how to eat, drink and have fun all day long, and have no knowledge or skills. What is the purpose of the imperial court selecting them? Could it be that just because their family backgrounds are prominent, they can occupy official positions in the imperial court and enjoy the worship of the people?" Although her voice was not loud, every word struck the hearts of Lu Yihao and Lu Haowen like a heavy hammer. They knew that Zhao Yingluo was telling the truth. That Many of the children from wealthy families indeed relied on their family's power to occupy a place in the court. Their talents, learning and conduct are often not as good as those of poor scholars. Zhao Yingluo paused and continued: "As for how to appease those dissatisfied voices, I have my own way. I will issue an edict to clearly inform the people of the world that the court's criteria for selecting talents are talent, learning and conduct, not family background and wealth. At the same time, , I will also give certain monetary subsidies to poor families to encourage them to send their children to private schools. In this way, those poor scholars will have more opportunities to strive for their own future." After Lu Yihao and Lu Haowen heard this, they looked at each other and saw the admiration in each other's eyes. They knew that Zhao Yingluo not only had extraordinary wisdom, but also had firm determination and courage. Such a princess was indeed a blessing to the Song Dynasty. Lu Yihao cupped his hands and said: "The princess is far-sighted and I admire her. I will fully support the princess's reform." Lu Haowen also said firmly: "I will do my best to help the princess solve her problems." After hearing this, Zhao Yingluo nodded with satisfaction: "With the help of my two beloved ministers, I believe that the imperial examination reform will be successful. The future of the Song Dynasty depends on our joint efforts." On the second day, in the court hall, the courtiers lined up neatly and their discussions were inaudible. Zhao Yingluo sat on the dragon chair, and the little emperor Zhao Min nestled quietly in her arms. She glanced around the court, took a deep breath, and prepared to inform the ministers of yesterday's decision.